artificial actors in performance art
2004. Artificial actors are difficult to incorporate into live performances. They can be so temperamental -- more prone to break downs than Brittany Spears.
Plus, traditional artificial actors are as flat in their emotions as their bodies are on the stage. Stuck on 2D screens they repeat canned moves that lack all the captivating spontaneity and surprise of human performers.
Yet, their potential and appeal when interacting with real, 3D humans in the flesh, in real time, are enormous.
The story continues...
Theatre of All Possibilities, London, England - effects by Chris Shaw
TAP, London, England
Interactive stage actor designed by Chris Shaw for Karel Capek Opera, RUR, originally performed in Czech Rep.
Addressing the Flat-Screen Problem
The video to the left uses rear-screen projection to break down the human/virtual barrier. Physical interactions with real humans have also been staged by projecting characters onto moving, 3D shapes or actors. The ultimate escape from the flat screen is a true 3D screen that gives artificial characters real depth.
There exists and elegant and effective design for such a screen. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive to construct. For more info, contact chris@haptek.com
Automating Behavior - First Steps
Karel Capek’s opera RUR deals with robots (he coined the term in 1919), so the character was designed for that opera to look robotic. The fact that a certain stiffness was acceptable made her a good starting point for automating character reactions to real actors on stage. The more this automation can be evolved, the more sophisticated artificial actors will become, and the more fluid, spontaneous and believable their performances will be.
A Physics Engine is the name given to software which uses laws of physics to automatically create effects like swirling mist, naturally flowing hair, and loose, swirling clothing.
Just as a Physics Engine can bring spontaneous motion to an artificial world, a Psychology Engine can bring spontaneous personality to characters.
Spontaneous Natural Performance - Genuine Artificial Actors
Making a character gaze automatically at objects, or lip-sync automatically were the first steps in automating character behavior. Now, with Psychology Engines, characters have fully automated personalities. They automatically emote in response to different users; to objects they see in the virtual world; to the emotional meanings of words they hear or say; to virtually anything the computer or mobile device is linked to. These emotional reactions all add together to create a complex personality that is seen in the character’s expressions, gestures, and movements as it performs. Such characters are on the verge of becoming real, genuine artificial actors.
Characters that automatically act human and natural are evolving computer games into a fully emotive, medium for drama, education, communication and commerce.
That was in 2004. Now, 4 years later -- you’ve gotta see what they’re up to!